Council shenanigans go too far

Friday

In my opinion, the backroom deal that six members of the Barnstable Town Council hatched to remove Town Manager John Klimm from his job will not benefit the town.

In my opinion, the backroom deal that six members of the Barnstable Town Council hatched to remove Town Manager John Klimm from his job will not benefit the town.

As someone who has served on Town Committees, as well as advocated before the town council, I'm no stranger to the underlying politics that swirl about in our town. However, last week's shenanigans set a new benchmark.

My impression is that a few councilors called a special meeting, knowing that two key members would not be able to attend, and used the occasion to bring forth, through a secret conversation, a fancy legal letter to Mr. Klimm, that says in plain language: "You're doing a great job, but you pulled the wrong dog's tail, so you're gone."

While this may all be legal, is this the kind of process that our elected officials should hold up to the citizenry as a model of responsible, open and transparent government? I think not.

Elected officials should model the values of a healthy community – honesty, responsibility, respect and above all, the capacity to work together.

Instead, this action teaches our young people that bullies, and those who tolerate bullies, deserve the power.

But perhaps the story has not yet reached its end. In the challenging economic and political climate that the next five years will undoubtedly bring, the town will need the skills John Klimm possesses more than ever. This is the worst possible time to axe this proven leader.

I hope that the voters of Barnstable will reset the little odious game that a minority of the Council has been playing, and affirm the excellent job John Klimm is doing. I encourage these voters to remind their councilors that they are elected to work for the wellbeing of the whole community rather than to further their own petty politics.

Our opportunity to do so is the next town council meeting, Thursday, July 14.

Steve Brown

Centerville

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